Finally...

After a year and a half of trying. A year and a half of frustration. A year and a half of wasted time.

I finally figured out the best way to do a twist out. Finally. Jeez. The keys are consistent tension and smaller pieces. Instead of 12 thick twists, I did about 40. Also...GEL. LOADS OF BLUE GEL (Eco Styler for Color Treated Hair). Oh yeah. A mixture of Moroccan and Argan Oil works for me.

Summer style!

It has been two years since my last relaxer. I don't really miss it. When I want to wear my hair straight, I get it straightened.

My one regret is doing the second big chop. I wish I hadn't done that. I look at the progress of people who started about 8-10 months before me (SimplYounique) and I wish I had stuck with it out.

Someone knew what they were doing 'cause you know I would need icy hot on my neck if I had thick, lush shoulder length hair. You wouldn't won't be able to tell me anything.

Results From the No-Shopping Challenge...

 

Full disclosure - I have spent approximately $200 on clothing in the last fifty-nine days.  Once I evaluated the item (fit, quality, etc), I pretty much kept $70 of the clothing.  The remaining stuff is going back.  I also purchased a pair of shoes on Sunday .

 

In terms of housewares, I did have a setback at Homegoods, but I did take back a majority of the crap that I bought.  *sigh*

 

So, my cuzn Jamie suggested that I start a Pinterest board with all of the random stuff that I think about buying.  I did that.  It helped.  This is all of the stuff that I was thisclose to purchasing, but didn't pull the trigger.

 

I am pretty pleased that I have shown some restraint.  I probably won't show any difference in my bank account.  I have to take my ride to the body shop *sigh*.  But hey...That's why you have savings!

 

Here's what I have learned:

• I realize that I shop when I am bored.  My bad times are Sunday afternoons.  I have a tendency to scour the internet looking for "stuff to get into." 
• I have learned that I have the basics down pat and can be a little more creative with my work clothing.  I have a work uniform of sorts...For instance, I am wearing uniform #1 - slacks, striped button-down with coordinating cardigan/pullover sweater (may be plain or argyle), interesting shoes and accessories.  Uniform number two is the same as uniform #1, except it involves a skirt.  Uniform #3 involves a...wait for it...wait for it...silk camisole under the cardigan!  I really need to focus on items that will get me out of my rut - a wrap dress or two, a shirt dress...
• I also realize that it isn't realistic to completely do away with not shopping because I will need something.  In the fall, I gave away a lot of my clothing and threw away stuff because I knew that I would get new things for the spring.  Right now at this minute, I need pajamas.  I am going to wait until next weekend to purchase a few pairs.

 

My next goal is to do big shopping sprees instead of always buying something.  Also, I need to stop settling for quantity and buy items that mean something and make a statement.  I'll write a list of things that I want.  Establish a budget and shop. from. a. list!

 

I'll be back with my Spring 2012 clothing list!

 

 

I Hate To Say This...

and sound my like grandmother...

That was a beautiful funeral and very appropriate!

A celebration of life. A celebration of love. A celebration of music. A celebration of Jesus!

I am sure that Whitney is pleased that the world was invited to her church home.

Tyler Perry surprised the heck out of me. He was amazing.

The Happyness Project

I went to look at a house in my "idea" neighborhood.  It is a small cottage home community (65 homes).  The homes are about 5-6 years old.  There is a house that is "my price".  I went to look at it.

Curb Appeal - I was underwhelmed by it.  Actually, I was downright insulted.  LOL  Someone "tried" to landscape the sides and backyard.  Random rocks and boulders.  The backyard had tall bushes.  I don't do bushes or anything that a rapist could hide behind.  I am protective of my parts.  Judging from the mountains of cigarette butts, there was no smoking inside the house.  The garage door had car damage and the shutters need to be reattached.  There were no exterior lights.  That didn't scare me.  Not at all.

View from the foyer..The foyer was pretty small.  Large enough for a console table and a small chair.  When I walked through the threshhold, I was pretty pleased with the condition of the hardwoods.  But everything else?  No bueno!  All I saw was baby poop colored paint and missing lights.   Again.  Not skerred.

The family room/dining area/kitchen - I really like the kitchen cabinets.  But let me tell you...Everything was COVERED IN DOG HAIR and just straight dirty.  I don't understand how anyone could be that danggone trifling.  The outlet covers were painted over and broken.  There were holes in all of the wall.  The appliances were furry!!  The glides to the sliding door were absolutely horrendous.  The vents were BLACK.  I would replace all of the blinds to wood.

I was a bit confused about the concept.  The living room, dining area, and kitchen were tiny.  Smaller than what I have now.  *raised brow*

But again...I'm not scared of hard work.  Murphy's oil.  TSP cleaner.  Painting.  Bleach.  Who am I kidding?  I would hire a company to do that for me.  LOL  New countertops.  New appliances. New register covers.  Steam clean the vents.  Have someone clean the furnace and filters.

The 1/2 bath looked like...*thinking* A tavern toilet.  I would definitely paint and add a very bright light.  Oh yeah.  A new toilet.  Ceramic floors.  Seriously, I have issues and new toilets are a must.

Then the basement...First, I don't like basements.  I just don't.  I most certainly didn't like this one.  Some genius decided to use colored chalk to draw the middle finger and floor to wall sinister characters.  I would have to call someone to powerwash that or paint the walls.

Let's go upstairs...First the walls transitioned from baby poop to adult crap.  The carpet is filthy.  Dog pee stains.  Dog poop residue.  Now you know that you are in the some bull when you pull up your pant legs when you walk up the stairs.  I would have to pull out all of the carpet and bathroom flooring.  For a second, I even considered doing away with the bathtubs.  Clearly I have issues.  LOL

The bedrooms were a nice size.  The master bedroom has his/her closets...*swoon*  Oh the closets were lovely.  I could just imagine the beautiful closet system.  Second floor laundry area is a nice feature.  The master bathroom was huge in comparison to what I have now.  Of course, I would insist on new countertops and toilets.   And a lot of bleach.

I estimate that I would need to do at least $7-8K in updates.

I have thought about it.  I have really thought about it.  I am not ready to do all of that work.  I just don't see it as an upgrade.

The Day The Music Died...

I love Whitney Houston.  In high school, we all wanted to be her!  She was tall, skinny, and could sing her ass off!  So much talent.  Damn.  May she rest in peace!
My favorites!

Invisalign Update....

I went for my monthly dental visit.

*sigh*

I will admit that I have been slacking on my Invisalign treatment. I am supposed to wear them for 22 hours. Well....I forgot to wear them from Friday (of last week) until yesterday (Wednesday). I only found them because I knew that I had a dental appointment. During the course of the appointment, my dentist said,

"Michelle...I can tell if you have not worn your trays."

*shocked*

He promptly popped that tray in my mouth and "made it fit." Never. again.

I am going to get back on the ball. Twenty two hours a day...

Oh yeah. I completely jacked up my car last night :(. I am fine. My passenger is fine, but my car isn't fine. :( I scraped the rear panel. I totally bawled. I'm talking an ugly cry with a Chewbacca wail. My perfect insurance record is ruined. But the biggest thing is that I don't want to pay my deductible. It is definitely a setback in the Mick's Happyness Fund.  Also, I have had this car less than a year.  I like to keep my shit together 'cause...it ain't paid for :) .

I guess that's why it is called, "Insurance." (1:25)

My Mood: Anxious

I am in a state of prayer. I want to make an informed, unemotional decision on something.

If I can't do it, then I need to figure out when I can make a move.

I am still on the no-shopping challenge. Today, I went into my favorite online websites and DELETED all of my stored credit card information. No impulse purchases.

Right now the no-shopping challenge is even more important. I preparing myself that there is a possibility that I will have to pay my way out of my current home situation. Sell low. Buy low.

Random Thoughts...

1. I can't get Cynthia's braids out of my mind.  They look so painful ...and her edges are basically non-existent.  My girl, Jamie, described them as Summer Camp braids.
2. I am not going to say anything about her running and telling Nene and Marlo.  I know that was part of her job.  If it were not for her, we would not have witnessed that crazy argument.
3. OK.  I think that Marlo is ridiculous...I don't understand why she chose to wear out the concierge like that.  First, why would you travel with $20K in Louis Vuitton luggage and lord knows how much in designer fashions if you are afraid that the house keepers will steal it?  If you can afford it, you don't get pressed about it.  Hun-ty, when I travel, I wish somebody WOULD take my bags.  It may not be Louis Vuitton but by the time I am done, it will be...*raised brow*
4. I will admit that I cackled when Marlo made the "air mattresses" statement to Sheree...It is almost as if she read my Facebook comments.  No grown woman that owns a Rolex and drives a Porsche should have a home outfitted with air mattresses.  Can you sell your watch to get beds for your kids?  Damn!  Get your priorities straight! *thinking*  Hell..if you are over the age of thirty and you own one pair of Timberlands, I'mma need you to have a bed on a frame with sheets, some sort of sofa (you can find those bad boys at the thrift shop), and a few towels.  Priorities!
5. How did Marlo know about the "air mattresses"?  When did they take this trip?  I need details!
6. Do people still wear Timberlands?
7. I don't think that there is anything wrong with dating an 80 year old man.  Also, I don't think that there is anything wrong for a older, rich man to purchase things for the woman he is dating.  I saw the Old Man episode from Sex and the City.  If she can make it through old man butt, then I commend her!  If she wants an Aston Martin, then damn it...Give that woman an Aston Martin!  
8. I want to like Sheree.  I really do.  At some point, she needs to give it all up and be honest.  Admit that she is broke.  Admit that Chateau Sheree is a farce.  Admit that cannot afford her lifestyle and that she spends her Bravo checks on foolishness.  Admit that she doesn't pay her bills.  Just be real...Show that she is trying to achieve self-sufficiency.  She may get a spinoff...Finding SHE in Sheree?
9. I like Phaedra.  I did give her mad shade the first season, but I will admit that I like her.  I like her when she is just keeping it real and being "regular".  Because that is honest.  Yes, the hand mirrors are from Things Remembered, but isn't it the thought that matters?  She is right...There are some bootylickers on Team Talls.  Cynthia is tasting Nene...Nene is tasting Marlo.
10. Kandi.  I don't have anything to say about her.  That's odd.
11. Kim...It's time for her to go.  She needs to focus on her marriage and her children.  Move on with her life.

Notes From A Conversation...

My "friend" contacted me about the results of her review.  No bueno.

Rewind...A few months ago, there was a luncheon.  There was a discussion about a new team member.  So, there is an influx of "tall women" in our organization. #tallsversussmalls  #teamtall So, someone asked if the team member is tall.  Someone said the team member's name...You could infer that the team member was from India.

My "friend" blurted out, "Well, I guess she isn't tall!"  The entire table was appalled.  I'm talking pearl clutching, gasps, whispers, etc.  The "friend's" mortal enemy went off the deep end.  Of course, this incident was reported to management.

As a result of this incident, her review stated that she "always talks race..."

She shared this with me.  Of course, it wasn't her fault.  It was the fault of the mortal enemy for making it bigger than necessary...blah-blah-blah...blah-blah-blah.

This isn't the first time that she has said some "not cool shit."  I had to check her when she commented on the cleanliness of a co-worker's locs.  She wondered if the co-worker's scalp is clean.  *crickets*  I had to check her when she asked..."Your type of hair doesn't grow long...does it?"  In case you wondered, my response was "*confused, twisted face with a touch of WTF*...Well, I do get my hair cut every six weeks.  *DUH face*"

She wants to be witty, but it comes across as dumb and unaware.

Have I mentioned that she is trying to be promoted?  Have I mentioned that my organization is extremely multi-cultural and that our past two CEOs are from India?  The last thing you want is a reputation as insensitive.

She asked my opinion.  I was honest.  I told her that she DOES needs to be more accepting of subtle differences and that her life does not apply to everyone.  Just as she wouldn't ask a co-worker about her bindi or our sikh about his turban, she shouldn't ask black women about their hair.  She also needs to realize that jokes shouldn't be told in professional settings.  Also, Google is your friend.  If there is shit that you don't know...GOOGLE IT!

If I were in her shoes, I would appeal to my manager to remove it from my review.  I would ask for a verbal first warning.  Then go to "hi and bye" for all work-related interactions.  I didn't tell her any of that, she has to figure it out for herself.  Ultimately she is there to work and not to make friends or jokes.